A Few Basic Tips For Student Filmmakers

By Eliza Mendoza


A lot of people dream of making their own films. With the technology involved becoming a lot cheaper it is now a lot easier for people to create their own work. The ease of access is countered by the fact that there is more material out there and available to view on a range of websites. This is why it is more important than ever for student filmmakers to work on the basics of developing both their skills and their careers.

The first thing to think about is the kind of film you want to do. For some people they may wish to work in a specific genre in the future. At an early stage it can be difficult to do certain genres. For example period pieces are often difficult due to the need for authenticity while science fiction can often require a large budget.

However with a bit of inventiveness and budgeting you would be surprised what you are capable of on a limited budget. How you get that budget depends on what is available in your local area. A good example of entrepreneurial inventiveness in this respect is the director Robert Rodriguez.

Therefore it is vital to study the genre you want to be a part of. In some cases your influence may come from outside the genre as well. For example when filming Citizen Kane it was said that Orson Welles watched the John Ford western Stagecoach over a hundred times in order to learn how to direct effectively.

Another good way to develop as a student filmmaker is to look beyond your course. Going on work experience at film magazines, doing extra work or being a runner on a set can allow you to get more of an idea of how the business works. Furthermore it is often an effective way of making connections that can often be useful for later projects.

It should be stated that not all students long to be Tarantino. Equally there are some who simply wish to work in film. The crucial thing for students in this case is to find extra work, runner work and anything else that allows them to develop experience.

This is crucial because theory alone is not enough. While it is important to study hard you have to think about what you do between semesters. Building up experience and working on your projects will give you a showreel that can then allow you to get more work.

As student filmmakers it is also vital you find the right course. There are many accredited courses that can help you develop your knowledge of the theory of film as well as learn more about the craft and creating work. With the right amount of both theory and practise you can eventually develop experience and get the full benefit from your studies.




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